This is not a surprise to me, but what about your nations (UK is closest after Canada but it only lists the top 2)? It does not directly compare quality of life, or things of that nature. Instead, it compares cultures. Since this is an international forum, I thought it would be cool to compare important aspects of our cultures.
http://geert-hofstede.com/countries.html
Professor Geert Hofstede conducted one of the most comprehensive studies of how values in the workplace are influenced by culture. He analyzed a large data base of employee values scores collected by IBM between 1967 and 1973 covering more than 70 countries, from which he first used the 40 largest only and afterwards extended the analysis to 50 countries and 3 regions. Subsequent studies validating the earlier results have included commercial airline pilots and students in 23 countries, civil service managers in 14 counties, 'up-market' consumers in 15 countries and 'elites' in 19 countries.
The country scores on the dimensions are relative - societies are compared to other societies. Without make a comparison a country score is meaningless.
These relative scores have been proven to be quite stable over decades. The forces that cause cultures to shift tend to be global or continent-wide. This means that they affect many countries at the same time, so that if their cultures shift, they shift together, and their relative positions remain the same.
The country scores on The Hofstede Dimensions can also be found to correlate with other data about the countries in question. Some examples: Power distance is correlated with income inequality in a country. Individualism is correlated with national wealth. Masculinity is correlated negatively with the percent of women in democratically elected governments. Uncertainty avoidance is associated with the legal obligation in developed countries for citizens to carry identity cards. Long-term orientation is correlated with school results in international comparisons - See more at: http://geert-hofstede.com/national-c....Dt6rwOKr.dpuf